Myth vs Reality: evaluating the Brazilian Response to HIV in 2016

July 19, 2016

Once a model for the world in terms of public response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Brazil is today backpedaling and rapidly paving the way for a public health crisis. Mired in the worst political-economic crisis of the past 30 years, the largest country of South America has lost its ability to construct a response to the epidemic using what was once its greatest triumph: the experience of the country’s social movements.

Brazil has decided to ignore expert opinions. It has shut down intersectoral dialogue, has disconnected health from human rights, and has unhooked attendance of patients from principles of universal care, justice and social participation. Because of these significant losses, we have prepared the following document: a thorough and critical analysis regarding the myths and realities surrounding the Brazilian response to AIDS.